Body supported portable desk



Nov. 25, 1958 Y J. A. BEST 2,861,854

BODY suPPoRTED PORTABLE DESK Filed April '25, 1957 flung v 23 22 INVENTOR.

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United States PatentN O BODY SUPPORTED PORTABLE DESK James A. Best, Memphis, Tenn.

Application April 23, 1957, Serial No. 654,576

1 Claim. (Cl. S11-17) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in portable desks and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which may be expeditiously slipped over the head and suspended from the shoulders yof the user, thus leaving both hands free.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a portable desk of the aforementioned character which may be readily adjusted to tit individuals of different sizes and for various other purposes.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide an adjustable portable desk of the character described comprising novel means for firmly holding or clamping the work in position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a portable, adjustable desk of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, comfortable, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, showing a portable desk embodying the present invention in use;

Figure 2 is a view in rear elevation of the device;

Figure 3 is a top plan view;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section, showing the hinged joint which pivotally connects one of the vertically swingable arms to its respective hanger;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section, showing the joint which pivotally connects the other vertically swingable arm to its hanger; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in perspective of an intermediate portion of one of the adjustable hangers.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of theinvention which has been illustrated comprises a pair of hangers of suitable material, preferably aluminium, which are designated generally by reference character 7. The hangers 7 include substantially vertical tubes or sleeves 8 having xed in the lower end portions thereof depending, forwardly angled rods 9. Frictionally mounted in the upper end portions of the tubes 8 are the Shanks 10 of angular shoulder hooks 11. As shown to advantage in Figure 1 of the drawing, the hooks 11 accommodate the shoulders of the user and comprise forwardly, upwardly, rearwardly and then inwardly extending portions 12, 13, 14 and 1S, respectively, terminating in downturned free end portions 16. The end portions 16 of the hooks 11 are slotted as at 17 for the insertion therethrough of an adjustable elastic strap 18 which connects the upper ends of the hangers 7. The construction and arrangement, it will f 1 2,861,854 ice Patented Nov. 25, 195s the lower ends of the hangers 7 is a pair of telescopically adjustable arms 19 comprising male and female sections or members 20 and 21, respectively. The tubular female members or sections 21 are provided with sockets 22 in their inner end portions for the reception. of the springpressed ball detents 23 in the male sections or members 20 for securing the arms 19 in longitudinally adjusted position. A friction hinge 24 pivotally connects one of the arms 19 to the lower end portion of the rod 9 of the respective hanger 7 for swinging adjustment in a vertical plane. The other arm 19 is pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the rod 9 of the other hanger 7 by a spring actuated, manually released ratchet hinge 25.

Fixedly secured in any suitable manner on the tubular female members `or sections 21 of the arms 19 is a substantially square panel or plate 26 `of suitable material, preferably a plastic. The panel or plate 26 may also be of any desired dimensions. The panel or plate 26 has formed therein an opening 27 to facilitate securing a stop watch (not shown) thereon.

Pivotally mounted, as at 28, in a forward corner portion of the panel 26 and swingable thereacross is a springpressed telescopically adjustable arm 29 for rmly securing the work in position on said panel. Toward this end, the arm 29 has swivelly mounted for rotary adjustment on its free end portion a work engaging blade or bar 30.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the elastic strap 18 which connects the upper ends of the hangers 7 is adjusted as desired. The hangers 7 are then brought downwardly and rearwardly over the head of the user and hooks 11 are engaged with the shoulders and back. The portions 15 and 16 of the hooks 11 rest on the back and the elastic adjustable strap 18 traverses the back adjacent the Iback of the neck. The tubes or sleeves 8 are adjusted as desired on the Shanks 10 of the hooks 11 and frictionally retained. Stop pins 31 on the Shanks 10 are operable in slots 32 in the tubes 8 for preventing separation of said shanks and said tubes. The telescopically adjustable arms 19 permit forward or rearward adjustment of the panel 26. The ratchet hinge 25 is released to permit vertical swinging adjustment of the panel 26. The work is positioned on the panel 26 and secured thereon by engaging therewith the rotatably adjustable blade or bar 30 on the free end of the swingably and telescopically adjustable arm 29. All of the aluminum members, such as the hangers 7, the arms 19, etc., are chrome plated to prevent soiling the users clothing. The members 28, 29 and 30 constitute a work holding clamp which is designated generally by reference character 33.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A portable desk comprising: a pair of hangers, each of said hangers including a substantially vertical tube, a rod ixedly secured in the lower end portion of the tube and depending therefrom, a hook including a depending shank mounted for sliding adjustment in the upper end portion of the tube, said hook including forwardly, up-

lmodatinga shoulder of the user `and further including an inwardly extending portion terminating in a downturned free end portion engageable with the back of the user, an elastic adjustable strap connecting the downturned free end 0portions of the hooks, a pair ofVY forwardly extending arms having one end lportion hingedly secured to the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED Y STATES PATENTS Cumpson Nov. 10, 1908 Huddle July 18, 1916 Petterman Aug. 19, 1941 Pate Dec. 8, 1942 Davidson Feb. 3, 1953 Thomason June 2, 1953 

